HOW TO FLUSH A TANKLESS WATER HEATER (RINNAI)
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- Опубліковано 27 вер 2024
- If you don't flush your tankless hot water heater annually it can lime up and build scale in the heat exchanger. Damage caused by lime build-up is not covered by the unit's warranty. It's strongly recommended that you perform a vinegar flush annually on your unit. This will increase the life of your unit and maintain peak performance.
The supplies needed can be purchased at your local hardware store or online:
1 - 2 Pack 6 foot washing machine hose kit $16.94
1- 5 Gallon bucket $4.48
1- 1/6 Horsepower utility sump pump $101.64
4 - 4 Liters undiluted virgin, food grade, white vinegar $8.90
Total: $131.96
I too had no idea I needed to maintain my Rinnai tankless water heater. The plumber that installed it did not say a word to me. Luckily, I found out and did the flushing myself.
I did the flushing pretty much like you showed, and it was as easy as you say. I bought a 1/10 HP pump at a big box store (it's flow rate was closer to that recommended by Rinnai in my manual), and it worked fine - for a cost of only $55.
One issue, my cylindrical filter screen did not come out with the plug and it took some wiggling around with my finger inside to get the screen loose to come out so I could clean the screen. My filter screen was pretty dirty and I need to clean it at least twice a year.
I found that replacement filter screens are not that readily available to the public, so be careful with the one you have and do not put channellock pliers on the outside of the plug to remove it. Rinnai has a UA-cam video showing how you can use needle nose pliers inside the filter plug to remove.
Hey guys good video. As a plumber I must mention.. Rinnai won’t flush on newer models unless the servo is open. So fire unit get it working then unplug it. That leaves it open and available to flush.
Eric Gray that’s really important to know. Thanks for sharing that Eric!
Thanks. That fine detail is missing on Rinnai's official video on descaling. Even their "tech support" couldn't tell me why, after following the instructions in the owners manual word-for-word that no vinegar was circulating at all through the unit.
What exactly is a servo?
A 'servo' could be slang for either a Servo Motor, or Servo Valve, a Combination of the TWO, or even in reference to the circuit itself. But, it's basically an electrically actuated valve that provides precise control of a valve for position, velocity, and pressure over a fluid within a closed loop system. They are usually bigger ticket items than standard valves, or even solenoid valves since they are designed to be highly accurate.
Thanks for a well done, straightforward explanation on how to do this. None of the professionals involved in our remodel ever mentioned this essential maintenance, which would have been nice to know about, especially since it's a relatively easy procedure I could handle myself.
No problem. It’s unfortunate when techs or installers don’t explain the maintenance required on these units. At least you know now and can ensure you get the most life out of your tankless hot water heater.
I need to show my dad this! Thanks Dwight!
Thanks Justin! I hope the video helps out your Dad.
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Excellent joy
Thanks!
Is it weird if after running it for over an hour and a half the water isn’t that dirty and we haven’t done this procedure in five years? Thanks for the video though! Very easy to follow and execute
Nope. That’s completely normal. Water conditions (city water or well) and hours used will determine the calcium build up in the heat exchanger. Thanks for watching it’s much appreciated.
Also unplug the cascade wire if u have multiple units (grey wire running to the board)
Is undiluted virgin white vinegar the same as distilled white vinegar? Distilled white vinegar is all I can find at walmart and other stores. Thanks for making this video!
Thanks, I'm glad you found the video helpful. It's very similar products just different marketing labels.Any type of vinegar may be distilled to produce a colorless solution of about 5% to 8% acetic acid in water. This is variously known as distilled spirit or "virgin vinegar", or white vinegar, and is used for medicinal, laboratory and cleaning purposes as well as in cooking, baking, meat preserving, including pickling.
If the used vinegar remains clear after the process, can it be stored and used again? I think that because I have a really good filter system for all my well water, that the vinegar didn’t have much to actually scour inside.
That’s your call. If it’s wasn’t very dirty I can see why you couldn’t reuse the vinegar again next time. Just label the container so someone doesn’t use it for something else.
Does the pump have a filter to send up clean vinegar? Or is the dirty vinegar going in and out for 1.5hrs okay? Great video!
Most pumps have a built in filter to prevent any debris from passing through. Recycling the used vinegar is completely fine.
Sorry I couldn't finish the video. After you called that rinnai a "hot water heater" five or six times I was done. It's a "water heater" there is no such thing as a "hot" water heater.
No need to be sorry Packer. I feel for you if that’s all it takes to get you rattled 😂
Thank you for making it so easy. When it was installed they did not tell me it had to be flushed. I then lost pressure to the hot water. Grrr!😡
The tech who installed the unit should have informed you about maintaining it. You will greatly increase the life and water pressure quality by doing a vinegar flush annually.